Wenger promises reinforcements

Arsene Wenger expects to make progress this week in his attempts to strengthen his Arsenal squad following the humiliating FA Cup exit to Nottingham Forest.

Wenger made nine changes at the City Ground and his fringe players went down 4-2 to the mid-table Championship side.

The Frenchman criticised his team after the holders relinquished their grip on the trophy, with Wenger experiencing defeat at the third-round stage for the first time since taking charge of the north London club in 1996.

Wenger insists the Gunners, who last week signed Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, will do further business during the transfer window in an effort to turn things around, but said no deals were imminent.

"I cannot give you any news on any transfer because we are not close to signing anybody," he said.

Aitor Karanka. Photo: PA Wire

"We signed a Greek boy (Mavropanos) who looks quite good in training but apart from that, we have not done anything. Will we be out there to do something? Yes we will."

Asked whether there could be developments this week, Wenger said: "Yes, because we are in the second week of January and, after that, it passes quickly."

Meanwhile, Aitor Karanka has been appointed as Nottingham Forest's new manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The Spaniard replaces Mark Warburton, who was sacked at the end of last month, and takes over with Forest 14th in the Sky Bet Championship.

"We are very pleased to have reached terms with Aitor Karanka to become the manager of Nottingham Forest," said chairman Nicholas Randall QC.

Karanka (44) has been out of work since he was sacked by Middlesbrough in March as the club unsuccessfully battled against relegation from the Premier League.